A day after Israel launched its largest aerial offensive in southern Lebanon, which resulted in 558 deaths, including 50 children, and left more than 1,800 people wounded, Hezbollah confirmed the loss of one of its senior commanders. The Iran-backed militant group announced on Wednesday that Ibrahim Mohammed Kobeissi was killed in the airstrike. In their statement, Hezbollah referred to Kobeissi as being “martyred on the road to Jerusalem,” a phrase they often use to describe their fighters who die in Israeli attacks. Additionally, the Israeli military reported that two more commanders from Kobeissi’s unit were also “eliminated” during the strikes.
Israel’s intensified military action against Hezbollah has raised concerns about a further escalation in the nearly year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. Many fear that the situation could destabilize the Middle East further.
The UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is bracing for heightened challenges as Israeli strikes on Lebanon compound the pressure they are already facing in Gaza and the West Bank. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, described the situation as a “triple tragedy.” He explained, “We already have Gaza, we already have the West Bank, so we have two fields of operation which have become active frontlines.”
Lebanese officials reported that Israeli airstrikes over the past two days have claimed at least 558 lives, including 50 children, and injured over 1,800 people. The majority of these casualties occurred in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region in the northeast, where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence.
French President Emmanuel Macron reached out to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, urging Iran to leverage its influence in Lebanon to de-escalate the situation. Macron emphasized that Iran must play a role in calming the rising tensions in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu predicted that “complicated days” lie ahead, emphasizing that Israel is not waiting for threats to materialize but is proactively addressing them. In a message directed at the Lebanese people, Netanyahu clarified, “Israel’s campaign is not against you. Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage.” He urged civilians to evacuate to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged British nationals to leave Lebanon immediately as the UK prepares for a potential evacuation. In response to the escalating Israeli attacks on Hezbollah, Starmer said, “The most important message from me this evening is for British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately.”
US President Joe Biden, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, cautioned against the risk of a “full-scale war” in the Middle East and called for diplomatic efforts in both Lebanon and Gaza. However, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed disappointment with Biden’s speech, criticizing it for not offering a viable solution to Lebanon’s problems.
Meanwhile, several protests erupted across US cities, with demonstrators opposing American military support for Israel. In New York City’s Herald Square, protesters held banners reading “Hands off Lebanon now” and “No US-Israeli war on Lebanon,” expressing their opposition to the escalating conflict.
As tensions continue to rise, the UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the situation in Lebanon. Many global leaders are calling on Israel to avoid launching a full-scale war.
